Pastors' Page

Pastor Bruce Burks was raised in Virginia and attended Berkshire Christian College in Lenox, MA, graduating in May of 1975. It was at Berkshire that he met and fell in love with Andi Jordan, who became his bride, also in May of 1975. With Andi at his side, Bruce has served in pastoral ministry for 36 years, first in Savannah, GA, then in Tazewell, VA, and for the last 25 years here in Vernon, VT. Bruce and Andi have two lovely and loving daughters: Bethany, of Greenville, SC, and Blythe, of Brattleboro, VT. Bruce's life verse(s) is I Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Associate Pastor Derek Irvine is 32 years of age, having grown up between northern New England (the County!) and Georgia. Pastor Derek is a graduate of Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies (2003), Lancaster Bible College (2006), and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2009-Master of Divinity). Since his graduation from Gordon-Conwell, Derek has served as Associate Youth Pastor and then as Interim Pastor of the Central Advent Christian Church in Clifton Forge, VA. During his time in college and seminary, as well as in Virginia, he has served at various Christian camps as counselor, director and speaker, Derek has been called to direct our youth ministry and also to minister to young families and young adults, as well as being involved in various other areas of pastoral ministry. Derek joins us with his wife, Kathleen, and their beautiful daughter Anna. Derek's life verse is: 2Cor. 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."